Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil Versus The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil 21 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil 21 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Sclareolide
Masking
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Coconut Alkanes, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Retinyl Propionate, Butyl Avocadate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Sclareolide, Triolein, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Tocopherol, BHT, Propyl Gallate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is a synthetically created molecule made to mimic ginger extract.
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soothe skin.
According to one study, it is an HA booster, antioxidant, and anti-irritant.
In this study, this ingredient was able to stimulate higher hyaluronic acid levels of the dermal and epidermal layers on a skin-like model. Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, which means it helps attract moisture to your skin. Humectants help keep skin hydrated.
As an antioxidant, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is able to fight off damage from free-radical molecules.
Learn more about Hydroxymethoxyphenyl DecanoneBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil 21 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil 21 ingredients
Does a decent job of clearing up acne, but does next to nothing for fine lines/wrinkles. I never noticed a difference as far as anti-aging.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
It’s a great value but it’s definitely like rubbing pure oil on your face, squalane breaks me out apparently.
I don’t like the feeling of oil on my face, it’s just too much for me.
Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most
